Heart of the Castle

Chapter 583 Death Standing shoulder to shoulder with the night
Satsien Hull staggered through the spacious corridor of the Star Academy, and when the hem of his robe was dragged across the ground, he made a soft, whispering sound.It seemed to be the reason why it was getting late, and the serene silence shrouded the corridor. The statues of the past supreme mentors and sages of the academy watched him with quiet eyes, piercing through his arrogant robes and hypocritical masks, allowing him to hide deep in his heart. The humbleness and insignificance everywhere have nowhere to hide.

This is no different from the experience of thousands of times before. Instructor Star speeds up his pace as fast as his aging body can bear, wanting to leave this corridor that makes him extremely uncomfortable as soon as possible, and return to his room full of messy materials and dust and wax stains. research room.However, the corridor seems to be endless, the front end is submerged between the deep corridor pillars, and the eyes of the stone sculptures of the sages on both sides are becoming more and more cold and severe, and finally they all seem to be frowning and screaming at him silently.

No...not just a silent scolding, but a polite voice whispering something, which sounds a little familiar.He frowned and listened for a long time, before he finally heard that the voice kept calling was his own name.

"Master Tutor, Satien Hull, Mr. Tutor..."

This voice...is...Scholar Zihe?
Satsien Hull struggled to open his eyes, only to realize that the sky was approaching evening, and the dim twilight poured in from the window, filling his bed.The flame in the fireplace had been extinguished at some point, and the room was frighteningly cold, making every joint in his body ache.Teacher Xingchen struggled to get up, but perhaps because he had slept for too long, his body was extremely weak, and he failed to achieve his wish several times in a row.

The old man finally gave up the self-esteem he was struggling to maintain, and said in a tone of frustration. "Qihe Come in and help me get up."

Bachelor Qi He walked into the room almost immediately, his movements were brisk and his steps were nimble, which caused a gleam of jealousy to flash in Mentor Xingchen's eyes.In his right hand, the young bachelor held a beautiful and simple bronze candlestick, on which were three burning tallow candles. The warm candlelight brightened the whole room.

When Bachelor Qi He stretched his strong hands under the old man's ribs and tried to help him up, Teacher Xingchen couldn't help but let out a soft moan, so weak that it seemed like a sigh.

"By gods, what time is it?"

"It's just sunset, Master Tutor." Bachelor Qi He whispered respectfully, while trying his best to support Tutor Xingchen's body, helped him sit up, and then brought him a thick velvet scholar's robe.

"No, it's not this." Instructor Xingchen said hoarsely. Seeing the bewildered look in the eyes of Bachelor Qi He, the old man was not only not unhappy, but felt a burst of abnormal joy in his heart. "Although he is young, his mind is far inferior to his own after all. This is the precious wisdom accumulated over the years." This kind of thought supported Satsien Hull, making his movements even more agile.

"I can't wear a scholar's robe today. Go and get that taupe adventurer's cloak. By the way, get one for yourself."

Although Bachelor Qi He still looked ignorant, at least he was loyal enough to know to follow the instructions of his instructor immediately.He went there for nearly a minute, and when he came back, he was dressed as an adventurer, wearing cowhide boots and a thick taupe cloth cloak. The hood was pressed above the eyebrows, covering the upper half of his face All hidden in shadows.This appearance seemed both mysterious and unfamiliar. Although Satien Hull had already prepared in his heart, he still felt a strange sense of panic.

However, this weird feeling only lasted until Bachelor Zihe spoke. When he spoke, the familiar respectful tone immediately made the stagnant panic atmosphere disappear as quickly as the ebb tide.

"Master Tutor, this is the cloak you want."

What Teacher Xingchen didn't want to admit was that he felt relieved just now. "Help me put it on, and help me downstairs," he ordered, and then he paused, and then justified himself in a somewhat angry tone, "This damned castle is too unfriendly to an old man like me." , when I was in Firmeyer's Star Academy, I never had a time when I couldn't walk."

The Star Academy is an open academic building, similar to a combination of a library and a monastery. Of course, the building structure is completely different from the Green Castle used for war. There is no comparison between the two.After Satien Hull complained, even he himself felt a little hot on his face, but Bachelor Zihe was still respectful. "Yes, Master Tutor." He slightly lowered his head and answered, then with both hands, he helped Tutor Xingchen up from the bed.

After wrapping his body tightly with the adventurer's cloak, Satien Her asked Maester Zihe to replace the candlestick with a windproof bull's-eye lantern, and then walked out of the room with him, and was immediately in the long corridor where the night wind was howling. among.

Even for an old man who is over seventy years old and well-informed like Satien Hull, the star mentor, the night view of the Green Castle is still rare and magnificent.Rows of torches were burning on the dark city wall. Griffon knights wearing full-body armor and full-face helmets stood behind the crenels, like a group of motionless stone statues, even though the sharp night wind tore their cloaks like banners. rattle.The figures of trebuchets and ballista carts were faintly visible in the night. When the patrol passed by, the swords and shields in their hands reflected the light of the torches, which made these giants with complex structures reveal a trace of ferocity belonging to war machines.

Satsien Hull instinctively looked away, but the magnificent scenery was still engraved in his heart, reminding him like a ringing bell, who created all this with his own hands .The flames of ambition and the icy flow of guilt dominate the mind of Star Teacher in turn, and it is really a torment for him.And even with the support of Bachelor Zihe, the spiral staircase of the Green Castle Tower was still a difficult obstacle for him. When his feet finally touched the soft ground like a carpet, sweat had almost soaked him. The silk undergarment that Zin Hale wore under the adventurer's cloak.

Although the footsteps of the goddess of spring have made the branches of the oak trees bloom green, the night wind in the north is still chilling.Satsyn Hull couldn't help shivering, and pulled the cloak tightly with both hands, trying to block the pervasive chill all around him, but the sweat-soaked underwear stuck tightly to his body like ice, holding him All efforts were in vain.
"Master Tutor, please wait here for a moment, I'll go find you some dry clothes." Bachelor Qi He carefully supported the old man, and said in a concerned tone in his ear.

Instructor Xingchen grabbed the sleeve of Bachelor Qi He who was about to leave, and shook his head at him vigorously, "No, we can't delay time, let alone let people see the trace, help me leave now, immediately."

"But...Master Tutor, you can catch a cold easily if you wear wet clothes like this." Bachelor Qi He said with a worried expression.

"If it's just a cold that can help us gain an advantage, then it's really an unsuitable exchange." Satsien Hull insisted, his tone stubborn and undeniable.So Bachelor Qihe had no choice but to keep his mouth shut, and helped him walk towards the carriage that had been prepared.

The carriage prepared by Bachelor Qi He was simple in appearance, and it was only pulled by two average-level rough horses. Apart from a silver griffin feather badge, there was no decoration on the door.Satien Hell saw the silver badge that marked the unimpeded access to and from the city gate, and his eyes rarely showed satisfaction.

"This thing... shouldn't be easy to get, right?" he said to Zihe, who was half sighing and half asking.

"It's not too difficult, sir." Instructor Xingchen especially appreciates the humble attitude of Bachelor Qi He who doesn't take credit for it. However, their hearts are still secretly leaning towards us, so with the help of several garrison captains of the Green Castle City Defense Force, it didn't take much effort for me to get this access badge."

"Won't this expose our true intentions?" When being helped into the carriage, Instructor Xingchen warned with some concern, "If this is the case, the loss outweighs the gain."

"Of course not, Master Tutor, please rest assured. Following your teachings, when I got this badge, I didn't tell them the real purpose. I just said that I need to go out and purchase some alchemy props for you. " Bachelor Qihe explained, while climbing to the position of the driver, "But I have to hide the truth from those friends who trust me, which makes me feel a little sad."

"White lies are not deceit, and they are good for you and your friends, Qihe." Instructor Xingchen was obviously in a good mood, and he actually explained it in a kind tone, "Wait until you succeed in taking it from Li Wei Stern. Return the power we should have, and I will personally explain to them for you." Then he looked in the direction of the city gate anxiously, "Now... let's set off quickly."

Bachelor Qi He agreed, and the wheels of the carriage made a soft noise and drove towards the city gate.Although this carriage looks very inconspicuous, it is quite comfortable inside, especially the inner wall of the carriage is wrapped with tanned animal skins, so that not even a trace of cold wind can penetrate.Satsien Hull was resting on the soft fur cushion, perhaps because the stairs in the Green Castle were too steep and the carriage was too comfortable. The Star Teacher was not sleepy at first, but when he was heard from outside When the voice woke up, they found that it was completely dark, and Harricos Manor was very close.

This manor originally belonged to a small northern lord, but his luck was very bad. Almost when the evil disaster first came, the manor was breached by demon troops. Not a single person, including the guards, survived the demon.

The raid on the old Sir Volcano ended the history of the northern territory being ravaged by demons. This manor, which was only left in ruins after being burned by flames, was rebuilt as a matter of course due to its good location. A royal nobleman named Harikos bought it with a lot of money and renamed it Harikos Manor as the family residence.

However, this is only a superficial disguise. Of course, Sir Harricus is indeed a real person, but he is not rich enough to squander at will. Instead, he was entrusted by the mentor of the stars to buy this manor as a secret meeting place for the nobles of the capital. .

Satsien Hull has always been a cautious person, especially after the fall of the royal capital Fermeyer. Almost all the nobles of the royal capital who were able to know this secret meeting place are his best friends, and the gathering The number of times is extremely rare, since the purchase of this manor, there have been only two times in total.

Tonight's rally is the third and final.Instructor Xingchen has decided to give up this secret meeting place, because he is a little nervous about the current situation, and he is very wary of the ambiguous position of his old friend Bamilian, Director Yang.

The main gate of the manor has long been tightly closed, and there is a strong iron fence blocking it.Looking from the top of the fence, I couldn't even see the light of a light. It seemed that the owner of the manor had been resting for a long time.However, when Bachelor Qihe jumped out of the carriage, and then approached the gate with the help of Teacher Xingchen, a deep voice sounded from the darkness.

"Stop, gentlemen, this is Sir Harricos' private estate, and no strangers are welcome."

"The people who listen to the language of heaven are no strangers, and it was I who called this secret meeting." Satien Hull answered, while lifting his hood.Showing a tired and old face. "Knight Fry, please guard the gate."

"Your Excellency, Instructor Star?" The voice in the shadows seemed a little surprised, "Gods, you are a bit late this time. Some people think that something may have happened and are discussing whether to leave."

"Some things are delayed in the Green Castle." Instructor Xingchen simply explained, "But it shouldn't be too late, want to leave? Hmph, it must be that some people's minds are not stable enough?"

Knight Fry shrugged his shoulders noncommittally, and then ordered his guards to open the side door of the manor. Mentor Star walked in first, and Bachelor Zihe followed closely, holding the old man's arm with both hands.

Harricos Manor is small in scale. Not far from the door are several houses made of stones and logs, the largest of which is not only the living room of Sir Harricos, but also the meeting hall for secret meetings.Night Breeze murmured in his ears, and the chill hit his face like the cold of death, like an ominous omen.

"Someone proposed to leave." Suddenly thinking of Frye Knight's words, Satien Hull suddenly became in a bad mood, and at least when he stepped into the room, he heard a few low-pitched laughter.

"That young boy's rule is becoming more and more stable, and there is not much time left for us." Star Instructor looked around everyone, and then said calmly, "Military preparations and the disaster of the green dragon are rare opportunities to attack, but we Didn't catch it... No, it's not that I didn't catch it, but it was resolved in advance by that young boy with unexpected means. My lords, now we must not underestimate our opponent. Although he is young, he has a familiar man around him. A wise man who follows the rules of the power game and is scheming." His voice was not high-pitched, but the heaviness in his words made the hearts of all the rich and nobles present tremble slightly.

Immediately, there was a slight discussion in the dimly lit corner. The nobles of the capital whispered to each other, some nodded vigorously in agreement, some had uncertain faces, and some had dejected expressions. Finally, an elderly noble stood get up.

"Your Excellency, Instructor Star," the man's tone was heavy and straightforward, "In my opinion, it may not be beneficial to continue to fight against the Griffon Lord. After all, as you said, he is not an ordinary boy, but a hand-held man. The head of the kingdom's most important ministers who hold great power and are surrounded by talented people."

Star Teacher took a deep look at him, and there was obvious contempt in his tone, "Lord Brooks, are you afraid?"

"Yes, I am indeed afraid, but it is not Levi Ston who is afraid, but ourselves who have been dazzled by ambition." Earl Brooks replied coldly, "Your Excellency, Teacher Star, admit the reality, We have already lost most of the trump cards in our hands, and now we should take the initiative to ask Levi Stern for peace before we lose all of them."

"I would like to remind you, Lord Brooks, that seeking peace means giving up the possibility of restoring the former glory." Satien Hull shouted sharply, "My lords, what we want is not from the northern lords. The leftovers falling between our fingers are the important authority of the Kingdom of Arthur that once held in our hands!"

"Then what should we do now?" Another royal nobleman asked, "Your Excellency, Master Star, you have rejected Earl Brooks's proposal for peace, so I dare to ask you what can be done to reverse it. Our current decline?"

"That's right, if this continues, it will be even more difficult for us to shake the position of the Griffin Lord. Once the power in the northern county is divided up, the newly born wealthy family will definitely become his most loyal supporter." The third king The aristocrat also said, "I agree with Earl Brooks's proposal. Judging from the performance of the Griffon Lord, he is not a ruthless person."

There are not a few voices who agree with this nobleman, and the voice of Earl Brooks also sounded again, "Yes, Lord Li Wei is kind, as long as we bow our heads and admit defeat, we should be able to get a lighter punishment. More importantly, the northern border now needs A large number of talents who are familiar with government affairs, if we can join in, it may not be impossible to restore the former status."

Seeing more and more aristocrats in the royal capital trembling in their hearts, a hint of sternness suddenly flashed across the face of Instructor Xingchen, "What a stupid idea!" He growled, "Bow down to that brat?"

The voice from Satsyn Hull's mouth was extremely gloomy, as if it contained dark venom, "Lord Brooks, it seems that you are really old." He swung his hand across the table vigorously, The retort full of fine wine was swept down to the ground together with several delicate crystal cups, making a crisp shattering sound.Teacher Xingchen heard the shock, and many nobles left their seats, staring at his face and the shattered crystal wine set with astonished eyes.

"This is the result of the summation, my lords, you will be smashed to pieces!" The old man sneered coldly, "Since the moment we secretly formed an alliance to deal with Levi Stern, we have no possibility of turning back. King Arthur The current situation in the country is very difficult, and no disharmonious voices are allowed inside. Anyone will find a way to deal with dissidents decisively. And even if it is a step back, Levi Stern is willing to accept us with great mercy, The wise man next to him will definitely find a way to stop it."

(End of this chapter)